Pasta, Sausage, Cream Sauce Thingie

So my guys were gone this weekend, leaving me with some blessed, much-needed, uninterrupted writing time. It's always different when I'm cooking for one and, rather than running out to pick something up, I tend to work with what I have on hand.

For some reason, I've been craving this pasta, sausage, cream sauce dish. I call it that, because I don't know of any other name for it. I just know that it has pasta, sausage and cream sauce. Kind of an Italian dish. Or at least that's the way I recalled it.

I knew what I wanted to have in the dish, but I wasn't sure about the sauce. So, in my infinite wisdom, I went to the Food Network and did a search for--you guessed it--pasta, sausage, cream sauce. And it worked!

Turned out I wasn't that clueless, because all the sauce consisted of was cream and Parmesan. 

I was ready to roll.

First, I had to cook my pasta.

I used Penne, but you can use whatever type of pasta you prefer. Simply cook according to package directions for al dente.

Did you notice their was something missing from the ingredients? 

Yes, this Texas girl has to have some meat.

In this case, sweet Italian turkey sausage. I cooked up two links, let them cool a bit, then sliced.

And since I was going for an Italian flare, I decided I would add some of my homemade pesto, too. You can find that recipe here. 

Okay, so I melted a couple tablespoons of butter in a skillet, then added some diced onion and bell pepper. Stir that around for a few minutes.

Then throw in some garlic and you've got what's known in Cajun world as the holy trinity of cooking.

You know, even if you're not a cook, you could toss this trio on your stove for a bit and everyone would think you're cooking a feast. It smells that good.

Next, I added some sliced mushrooms and let those cook down a bit. 

Oh, and don't forget to add a sprinkle or two of salt and, maybe, the tiniest shake of crushed red pepper flakes to bring things to life.

Stir in your sausage slices.

Add a nice spoonful of pesto.

Give that a stir before adding about a half a cup of cream.

And approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup of finely grated Parmesan. 

Mix everything together until the sauce begins to thicken, then add your cooked pasta.

Stir again.

And it's time to eat.

This dish may look a little on the bland side, but it is chock full of flavor. (Next time I might add red bell pepper instead of green, just for the color)

Not only did this dish satisfy my craving, I made extra so I'd have enough for lunch the next day.

Good writing time, good food... What more could this mama ask for?

Okay, maybe a longer weekend. :D

If you're used to cooking for others, how do you tend to eat/cook when you're alone?

If cooking for one is your norm, what are some of your favorite dishes?

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com.

Dinner for One (Beef...It's what's for dinner)

Okay, Kav, I know this post isn't for you. But I still love you, tofu and all.

So my guys were gone this weekend. That meant I finally removed all traces of Christmas, watched a lot of Food Network and HGTV and napped through half of the Green Bay/Seattle game. 

Yes, I should have gotten some writing in, too, but since I got my proposal for book four in on deadline and my copy edits in a week before they were due, I decided I was allowed to be a little lazy. (I don't think that word even exists in Ruthy's vocabulary, which always makes me feel like such a schlep.)

Nonetheless, it was a good weekend. And I got to eat whatever I wanted. 

The first night, I had brie stuffed mushrooms, but I forgot to take pictures (except for this one I texted a friend to make her jealous), so I will have to share that recipe with you later.

But it was SOOOOOO good.

The next night, I wanted beef. Steak to be exact. 

Partly because I had this great new salt I wanted to try.

There's this great little spice and tea shop in downtown Grapevine. My son and I go in there and sniff all kinds of things. It's a very interesting experience. 

Over the Christmas holiday, we discovered all of these different sea salts. Hickory Smoked, Chipotle, Cocoa (yes, cocoa) and this Applewood Smoked, just to name a few.

He and I both drooled over this one. But, we had yet to try so, while the kitten was away...

I decided to keep it very simple, because I wanted to see if I could taste the smoky flavor in the salt. 

So I added about a tablespoon of butter to a pan and let it melt over medium-high heat.

I seasoned the meat with the Applewood Smoked Sea Salt and a little bit of pepper.

Then placed it in the hot skillet and cooked for five minutes.

After five minutes, I turned it over for another four minutes. 

I like my meat medium (pink in the middle), so if you prefer medium-well, you'd want to add another minute or two.

Tah-dah!

Throw in a salad and that's my kinda meal.

And as I'm typing this, I'm thinking let's go again.

Yes, I do love me some beef.

But about the salt. Yes, it added a wonderful flavor to the beef, though I can't say I really tasted any smoke flavor. Perhaps a tiny bit, but the meat wasn't infused with a heavy smokiness.

It does make me eager to take another trip to the spice shop, though. They have some incredible seasoning blends. Not to mention the sea salts. I'm thinking that Chipotle Sea Salt would be awesome mixed in some brownies. Or sprinkled atop some dark chocolate whatever.

What's your favorite dinner for one?

Dinner for One: Beyond Cheese Toast and Cereal Bowls

A long time ago, a Sunday School class I attended discussed the difference between men and women. I will never forget what one guy said, "The difference is when her husband is away, a wife will eat cheese toast. When the wife is away, the guy will go out and eat a big ole steak dinner."

Wow. So true. Ever since then, I have tried somewhat unsuccessfully to not be that woman that eats cheese toast. Being allergic to wheat helps with that but then I just eat a bowl of granola or oatmeal. Sad but true.

Some of you can't imagine dinner alone. But the day will come. Everyone is sick but you or visiting Grandma or you have indeed watched all the chicks fly from the nest.

Here are some of my tricks:

Fresh veggies: Visit the local salad bar. Buy the good stuff in small quantities. Even if it is just for one meal. You may cringe at seeming to spend more than buying the raw veggies and doing it yourself, but between having greater variety and watching unused carrots and lettuce heads shrivel, it’s a money saver. There’s no law against buying one sweet potato or ear of corn either.

Most stores have great salad bars these days. Even with meat and all the add ons.

Meat and freezer-friendly veggies:  If you have a leftover chicken breast or, like ManO, extra corn on the cob, put them in individual bags (snack sized are perfect when you are trying to eat smaller portions.) The ingredients will be ready and waiting for you when you need them. No excuses.  

Why yes that's single serving of frozen custard when I need it next to the single-serve chicken breast and veggies.

Gourmet simplicity: If you are going to go with cheese toast or cereal, make it a treat rather than a martyr’s sacrifice. Get some bread from the local bakery or even the grocery store.  Broil Gruyere and apples on multi-grain farm bread. Mix up a dried fruit and nut cream cheese spread to put on a bagel. Load a bowl of plain cereal with fresh fruit from the farmer’s market and almonds. Treat yourself well.

Presentation: Set the table for yourself. Pick a flower growing in the yard and put it in a bud vase. Have some sparkling water or add lemon and cucumber to chilled water. Turn on some relaxing music and enjoy your time alone. This works well when you bring home take out.

I love my grandmother's china and my zinnias!

And just occasionally, even if you have to save up for it, treat yourself to a nice steak or whatever meal out!

So what is your go to dinner for one? Are you a “cheese toast” person? Do you indulge in all the foods your partner or family don’t like?